Michael Holtz, a third generation woodworker, and his wife Barbara established Der Holtzmacher, Ltd. in 1978 in Sycamore Illinois. They founded Der Holtzmacher with a firm commitment to quality and Old World Craftsmanship. Michael holds a Bachelor's degree in Wood Technology and Barbara a Master's degree in Art History from Northern Illinois University.

Der Holtzmacher, Ltd. has been specializing in designing church interiors for over twenty years. We work closely with our clients to create a worship space that is both visually and spiritually fulfilling.

We design and fabricate fine liturgical furnishings, hanging crosses, reredos walls, platforms, architectural and ornamental millwork, and interior and exterior church doors.

All of our furnishings are meticulously crafted from the finest hardwoods, using solid wood construction and the highest quality finishes. Woods are carefully selected for their grain and color, as well as for their strength, durability and appropriateness to design.

Our furnishings often incorporate complementary mediums such as bronze, brass, art glass, and stone to create an exquisite work of art. Michael's skill in custom wood carving lends distinction to many of our liturgical designs.

We invite you to view our Liturgical Photo Gallery below, which reflects the diversity of our designs and encompasses traditional as well as contemporary furnishings.



Elliptical Altar Made of Oak with Mahogany Relief Carving of Grapes and Vines. Hand Carved by Michael Holtz. Oak Baptismal, Pulpit, and Communion Rail.

The pure, simple lines of the ellipse, or oval, are the source of inspiration for the red oak furnishings designed and fabricated for the Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock, Illinois. A hand-carved relief in mahogany of grapes and vines, symbolizing the sacramental wine celebrated during communion, encircles the upper segment of the altar lintel. The synthesis of the two complementary woods, mahogany with its soft, reddish hue and the inherently solid, imposing quality of the oak, provides textural contrast and visual interest.

The furnishings for the Grace Lutheran Church, which were designed and fabricated almost twenty years ago, were our first commissioned liturgical project and therefore hold special significance for us. They represent the foundation upon which we continually strive to create liturgical furnishings of timeless design and enduring quality.

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Overview of Church Interior
Furnishings designed by Der Holtzmacher, Ltd. Sycamore, Illinois

One of our recently completed projects was the Our Lady of the Ridge Catholic Parish in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, for which we designed and fabricated the liturgical furnishings, as well as the interior and exterior wood doors. Designed by architect John Voosen of Voosen & Associates in Wilmette, Illinois, the church is constructed entirely in the round and exemplifies the contemporary concept of a worship space utilizing a circular or semi-circular configuration.
The liturgical furnishings are arranged in a linear format, with the baptismal at the entrance to the worship space, followed by the ambo, altar and, finally, the tabernacle. The altar and ambo are directly across from, and facing, one another. Each rests on a prominent platform, which serves to elevate it for better visibility from all sides of the worship space. The furnishings are made of red birch with a warm reddish-brown stain applied to heighten the richness of the wood.

Red Birch Baptismal with Corian Bowl, Waterfall, and Cover
Designed by Der Holtzmacher, Ltd. Sycamore, Illinois


Oak Platform, Red Birch and Curly Maple Altar, Red Birch Ambo with Remote Lift, Red Birch Candle Stands
Designed by Der Holtzmacher, Ltd. Sycamore, Illinois

We designed the furnishings for Our Lady of the Ridge to facilitate the celebration of the mass within the circular configuration of the worship space. The shape of the altar is square so that each side is of equal importance: This allows the celebrants of the mass to move with greater ease around the altar to engage all members of the congregation in the liturgy. The ambo, which directly faces the altar, features a telescopic lift so that it may be readily accessible to children and the handicapped as they participate in the mass.

Red Birch Tabernacle with Olive Ash Burl Panels. Processional Cross Utilizing Dicroic Art Glass.
Designed by Der Holtzmacher, Ltd. Sycamore, Illinois



Exterior Church doors with glass
Designed by Der Holtzmacher, Ltd. Sycamore, Illinois



Altar and Ambo with Riser: Red Birch with Bronze Accents.

Another excellent example of church architecture in the round is the Resurrection Catholic Community in Wayne, Illinois, designed by Mr. Ed Webb of Prisco Serena Sturm Architects in Northbrook, Illinois. The architect designed the furnishings and our principal objective during this project was to bring his design concepts to reality. The design of the furnishings is contemporary in style and employs compound oblique angles to achieve a stunning visual impact. All of the furnishings are made of red birch with the natural golden tone of the wood enriched by the application of a clear finish.

Tabernacle: Red Birch with Bronze Accents and Art Glass Panels. Ambre: Red Birch with Art Glass Panels.



Overview of Church Interior

The Roman arch is the recurring motif in the liturgical furnishings we fabricated for the Newman Catholic Center at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. The worship space of the Newman Center recently underwent a complete transformation from a traditional floor plan with a nave to a semi-circular format under the direction of design consultant Michael Rigali of Daprato Rigali, Inc. of Niles, Illinois. The new worship space successfully blends traditional elements into a contemporary format.

Altar and Ambo: Red Oak.

Baptismal with Cover: Red Oak.
Paschal Candle Stand and Cross with Bronze Crucifix: Red Oak. Designed by Der Holtzmacher, Ltd.

Red Oak Presider's and Deacon's chairs with upholstery. Reservation Chapel with Bronze Tabernacle.



Red Oak Exterior Doors with Leaded Art Glass




The transformation of a church interior from traditional to contemporary can also be experienced at St. Thomas Beckett Catholic Church in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. Under the direction of architect John Voosen, the interior underwent a complete renovation and today exemplifies the prevailing concepts pertaining to the optimal use of the worship space.

The liturgical furnishings, which we fabricated in red birch and to which we applied a clear finish to enhance the natural golden hue of the wood, embody a graceful linear quality devoid of any unnecessary ornamentation. The lintels and legs of the furnishings are decorated only by a gentle convex curve which serves to soften the predominant linearity of the design. The altar and ambo sit on platforms (fabricated in red oak by Der Holtzmacher, Ltd.), which elevate them for maximum visibility from all vantage points within the worship space.











The reredos wall is a prominent feature in the sanctuary at St. Patrick's Mission Church in St. Charles, Illinois. The repetition of the diamond pattern adorning the length of the wall and the triangular pedimental elements echoing its central section unite to create a sense of spatial depth and movement. The triangular and diamond elements appear again in the design of the liturgical furnishings, most noticeably in the presider's chair but also, with more subtlety, in the altar and ambo. The result is a harmonious symmetry of the architectural elements and the furnishings.








Thank you for visiting our Liturgical Furnishings Gallery. We invite you contact us regarding a current or future project. At that time, we can discuss your budget and will explain our pricing structure, lead-time and provide you with information on how to proceed with your project.

FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF THE LITURGICAL FURNISHINGS DESIGNED AND FABRICATED BY DER HOLTZMACHER, LTD.
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Additional Photos Of Work In Progress Will Be Posted Periodically.
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